Paper Box Kendamas!

Today students engineered their very own Kendama using a paper box, string, sticks, straws, and paper clips. Their challenge was to design an original Paper Box Kendama with given materials, then create and name a trick to teach to someone else.

Fist, we did a VTS activity looking at various Kendama models.

Next we read an article from the Sacramento Bee about the "Kendama Kraze" using AVID critical reading skills.
http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/family/article2576921.html

Then students were given a set of materials and began building. Once their Paper Box Kendama were created, students made up original tricks to perform to others in the class.

putting it together...

 practicing...

Our last step was reflecting on what we learned today. Students were encouraged to take their Kendama home and share it with a family member and/ or friend.

This was a fun and creative way for students to engineer their own fun!
As one student wrote so well, Nice Job!